McKinzie Colt Sets the Mark at Keeneland September Monday

Continuing spirited trade for yearlings by young stallions, Monday's seventh session of the Keeneland September Sale was led by freshman sire McKinzie, who has his first crop of 2-year-olds this season. Leading the fray was Hip 2197, a colt that brought $475,000 from Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. The second highest priced yearling of the session, also the day's topping filly, was Hip 2116, by Maxfield. Offered by Runnymede Farm, the daughter of Marwa (GB) was purchased by AMO Racing USA.

At the conclusion of Monday's session, a total of 288 head sold for gross receipts of $25,234,000, up 2.57% from one year ago. The median was $70,000 (+7.69%) while the average was $87,618 (+8.62%). The gross through seven days of selling was $361,642 for 1454 head sold, up 5% from 2023. RNA's rose to 83 from 67 last year.

Monday's leading consignor was Gainesway, which sold 25 yearlings for $4,082,000. The session's leading buyer was Kenny McPeek, agent, who acquired six yearlings for $935,000.

Fortune Runs Deep for Reeves

Consigned by his breeder Gainesway Thoroughbreds, the colt is out of SP Ruby Trust (Smart Strike), a daughter of Grade III winner Queen ofthe Catsle (Tale of the Cat). Agent Jimmy Gladwell signed the ticket on the session-topping colt.

“I told Jimmy to tell me which ones were the must-haves. And this one was a must have,” said Dean Reeves. “He was drop-dead gorgeous. I also like the Smart Strike on the bottom side. I've always neem a fan of that family.”

He continued, “His pedigree wasn't over-the-top like they are in Book 1, but I think as a physical, he was the type of horse we look for. We can't really get into that $1-million price range, but if we can find a horse that is a really solid physical and the dam has [some black-type], then we feel like we have done as good as we can do.”

Through seven sessions, the Gainesway stallion was represented by 30 yearlings that sold (in the ring) for gross receipts of $6.69 million. His yearlings averaged $223,000 with a median price of $162,500. The top-priced yearling by the Grade I winning stallion was Hip 644, out of Take Charge Angel, that brought $950,000 from agent Donato Lanni on behalf of SF/Starlight/Madaket.

“The stallion was a big draw because he has done really well,” explained Reeves. “All the horses by McKinzie that we looked at looked really good. He is putting out some really good foals. He was very accomplished on the track. He won the big races. He was a quality runner and I like to go to some stallions that have really shown it on the track before they retired.”

According to Reeves, the colt's breeder Gainesway will stay in for 25% on the colt.

“We were thrilled that Gainesway wanted to come in on the McKinzie,” Reeves confirmed. “I respect Antony Beck and everyone at Gainesway. Any time somebody like them wants to stay in on a horse, they must like him. It would be an honor to have them as partners.”

During Monday's session, Reeves also secured Hip 2223, a colt by Liam's Map. Consigned by Claiborne Farm, the Apr. 30 foal is out of unraced Side of Sass (Mineshaft), a half-sister to Grade II winner Dynamic One (Union Rags). This represents the Phipps family of champion juvenile filly Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat) through GI CCA Oaks heroine My Flag (Easy Goer).

“[Gladwell] really loved Liam's Map,” said Reeves. “That yearling was another one that we felt was as good as the McKinzie. Danny [Gargan] really liked the McKinzie and Miguel Clement liked the Liam's Map, so it really worked out for us. We can try and keep the trainers happy.”

In all, Reeves purchased six yearlings, including a trio in partnership, led by Hip 955, a colt by Good Magic, purchased by Jones/Everett/Reeves, Vekoma, Belmar, Pine and Legendary. In partnership, Reeves also purchased Hip 540, a colt by Good Magic who brought $550,000 and Hip 501, a Charlatan colt that realized $500,000.

“We took 25% of some of those horses,” said Reeves. “That way we could get up into higher price range. We do a lot of business with the partners of those horses. That's been the fun part for Patti and I. Partnering with them takes a lot of the pressure off. So we were able to buy some of the horses we might not have been able to buy without these partners. It made sense.”

Reeves confirmed that he would also take on partners on Hip 1012, a colt by Good Magic purchased on Day 4.

“We had to stretch every time,” Reeves said when asked about the strength of the middle market. “It's been very competitive. We had another one we tried to get Monday but we just couldn't keep going.”

Despite all the buying activity at Keeneland last week, Reeves was notably absent. However, he had a very good reason with Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio), a filly he owns in partnership, running at Leopardstown in last Saturday's G1 Matron Stakes, a 'Win and You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Returning off a two-month break, the Donnacha O'Brien-trainee collected her third straight Group 1 score following victories in Royal Ascot's Coronation Stakes and Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket. Despite her free entry into the Filly & Mare test at Del Mar, Reeves said it looks likely that the four-time Group 1-winner will face the boys at Del Mar in her next start.

“This is some kind of talented filly,” he said. “This is the third race in a row that I went over to watch her run. She is so determined and so talented.

“We go in with a lot of confidence, and now we're going to run against the boys in the Breeders' Cup Mile. That'll be another huge challenge for her but she is a special filly.”